..The former includes agonists for muscarinic receptors and cholinesterase inhibitor; and the latter includes alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists, NO donors, benzodiazepines, baclofen, dantrolene, and boturinum toxin...

Kai LiDepartment of Molecular Signaling, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, JapanPLoS ONE 8:e58057. 2013

..We, therefore, speculated an existence of the GJ channel-mediated self-regulation of GJs. Using a cell culture model in which nonjunctional connexin43 (Cx43) hemichannels were activated by cadmium (Cd(2+)), we tested this hypothesis...

Suppression of NF-kappaB by cyclosporin a and tacrolimus (FK506) via induction of the C/EBP family: implication for unfolded protein response

Shuqi DuDepartment of Molecular Signaling, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, JapanJ Immunol 182:7201-11. 2009

..These results suggested that CsA and FK506 confer insensitiveness to TNF-alpha on resident cells through UPR-dependent induction of the C/EBP family members...

Continuous, noninvasive monitoring of local microscopic inflammation using a genetically engineered cell-based biosensor

..6. The present data elucidated that PDE3 and PDE4 play critical roles in the regulation of mesangial cell function. PDE3 and PDE4 were identified as the novel, antiapoptotic machinery that supports survival of mesangial cells...

Differential impact of lower urinary tract symptoms on generic and disease-specific quality of life in men and women

..Taken together, we conclude that FFA induces AMPK activation through the Ca(2+)-CaMKKβ pathway. Activation of AMPK is a presently unrecognized important mechanism underlying the pharmacological effects of FFA...

..Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common symptom syndrome with urgency, urinary frequency, and urgency incontinence. To collectively express OAB symptoms, we developed the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS)...

..It was inversely correlated with the induction of endogenous ER stress markers in the liver and kidney. Our result provides first evidence for the acute, reversible induction of ER stress in vivo after exposure to heavy metal...

Prevalence and impact on generic quality of life of urinary incontinence in Japanese working women: assessment by ICI questionnaire and SF-36 Health Survey

..If no urodynamic abnormalities of either the detrusor or the outlet can be detected despite significant LUTS, factors unrelated to the lower urinary tract may be responsible for the voiding symptoms...

..Six months after the 16 weeks of immunotherapy, computed tomography and bone scintigraphy revealed that the metastases of the lung, liver and bone substantially disappeared and this complete response is still kept after 16 months...

Functional role for Piezo1 in stretch-evoked Ca²⁺ influx and ATP release in urothelial cell cultures

..These results suggest that Piezo1 senses extension of the bladder urothelium, leading to production of an ATP signal. Thus, inhibition of Piezo1 might provide a promising means of treating bladder dysfunction. ..

Shuqi DuDepartment of Urology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, JapanUrology 70:826-31. 2007

..To investigate the expression and function of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel A1 in the afferent pathway of rat urinary bladder. The TRPA1 is a candidate for both mechanosensory transduction and nociception...

Masanori BeppuDepartment of Urology, University of Yamanashi and Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, Yamanashi, JapanJ Urol 186:2463-9. 2011

..We examined how the expression of each EP receptor subtype changed in association with bladder outlet obstruction and focused on the functional role of EP4 receptor subtype in the bladder with outlet obstruction...

..This hypersensitivity was observed in our patients regardless of urgency episodes. We therefore hypothesized that OAB may be more accurately defined as a hypersensitivity disorder rather than a syndrome characterized by urgency...

Purinergic control of AMPK activation by ATP released through connexin 43 hemichannels - pivotal roles in hemichannel-mediated cell injury

..The treatment of adrenal metastases using laparoscopic surgery still remains a matter of considerable controversy. The aim of this study is to present our experience of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for isolated adrenal metastasis...

..Taken together, the results suggest that NO is involved in the control of GJIC and Cx43 expression. This effect of NO is due to activation of protein kinase A via cGMP-dependent inhibition of PDE3 activity...

..We compared the results of retroperitoneoscopic nephron-sparing surgery for small renal tumors using a microwave tissue coagulator without renal pedicle clamping with those of a retroperitoneal open procedure...

..It has been known that the cause of acute renal failure is renal azotemia resulting from sustained hypovolemia, but post-renal causes due to ammonium acid urate stones should be taken into consideration...

Suppression of cell membrane permeability by suramin: involvement of its inhibitory actions on connexin 43 hemichannels